Christ the Center of the Bible: Christ`s Heavenly Glorification - Revelation.
- Thread starter Marilyn C
- Start date
CHRIST IN HIS HEAVENLY GLORY
The predominant aim of Revelation is the setting forth the splendours of the Son of Man, & to reveal His glorious person. There are four visions of the Son of Man as He is known in the heavenly realm & each vision in turn carries through to completion one aspect of the fourfold ministry of Christ which He exercised when on earth. His Kinship was expressed in Matthew, His Heirship in Mark, His Mediatorship in Luke, & His Judgeship in John.
Vision 1. CHRIST - Head of the Body. (Rev. 1 – 3)
This reveals the empowered Son of Man as the Sovereign Administrator.
`in His right hand He held 7 stars.`
Vision 2. CHRIST - HEIR (Rev. 4 – 7)
This reveals the enthroned Son of Man as the Supreme Executor.
`in His right hand He held the 7 sealed book.`
Vision 3. CHRIST - MEDIATOR (Rev. 8 – 13)
This reveals the exalted Son of Man as the Stately Mediator.
`in His hand is a sacred censor.`
Vision 4. CHRIST - JUDGE (Rev. 14 – 22)
This reveals the entitled Son of Man as the Sublime Adjudicator.
`in His hand is a sharp sickle.`
To reveal Christ to us in Revelation, there are three hundred & thirty references to the figures, shadows, symbols, types, patterns, persons, & buildings of the Old Testament.
This unveiling is the culmination of all the truths expressed from Genesis to Revelation, for all scripture is centred on one purpose and that is to reveal Christ to us in all His Glory.
The predominant aim of Revelation is the setting forth the splendours of the Son of Man, & to reveal His glorious person. There are four visions of the Son of Man as He is known in the heavenly realm & each vision in turn carries through to completion one aspect of the fourfold ministry of Christ which He exercised when on earth. His Kinship was expressed in Matthew, His Heirship in Mark, His Mediatorship in Luke, & His Judgeship in John.
Vision 1. CHRIST - Head of the Body. (Rev. 1 – 3)
This reveals the empowered Son of Man as the Sovereign Administrator.
`in His right hand He held 7 stars.`
Vision 2. CHRIST - HEIR (Rev. 4 – 7)
This reveals the enthroned Son of Man as the Supreme Executor.
`in His right hand He held the 7 sealed book.`
Vision 3. CHRIST - MEDIATOR (Rev. 8 – 13)
This reveals the exalted Son of Man as the Stately Mediator.
`in His hand is a sacred censor.`
Vision 4. CHRIST - JUDGE (Rev. 14 – 22)
This reveals the entitled Son of Man as the Sublime Adjudicator.
`in His hand is a sharp sickle.`
To reveal Christ to us in Revelation, there are three hundred & thirty references to the figures, shadows, symbols, types, patterns, persons, & buildings of the Old Testament.
This unveiling is the culmination of all the truths expressed from Genesis to Revelation, for all scripture is centred on one purpose and that is to reveal Christ to us in all His Glory.
REVELATION - Vision 1: Christ the Head of the Body. (Rev. 1 - 3)
The Apostle John was a prisoner on the island of Patmos for his belief in the Lord Jesus Christ. As he was waiting on the Lord he sees a vision of the glorified Lord. His appearance is like the sun shining in full strength.
`Then I (John) turned to see the voice that spoke to me....One like the Son of Man, ....His countenance was like the sun shining in its strength.` (Rev. 1: 12 & 16)
Then John gives an amazing description of the Lord using symbolic language. These symbols describe the Lord`s character, His counsel and His authority.
`..one like the Son of Man, clothed with a garment down to the feet and girded about the chest with a golden band.` (Rev. 1: 13)
This long garment is of the High Priest indicating His high office as the eternal High Priest that ever lives to intercede, giving eternal blessings.
`His head and His hair were white like wool, as white as snow, and His eyes like a flame of fire; His feet were like fine brass, as if refined in a furnace.` (Rev. 1: 14 & 15)
The whiteness of His head and hair symbolise the maturity of His understanding; the eyes, for discernment, penetrating every realm and innermost thoughts of the heart. The feet refer to the uprightness of Christ`s dealing in perfect justice - rewards and punishment.
`His voice as the sound of many waters; he had in His right hand seven stars, out of His mouth went a sharp two-edged sword,..` (Rev. 1: 15 & 16)
This shows the great authority of the Lord, His sovereign commands, and the awesome judgments that come forth. The seven stars, the Pleiades (Job 38: 31) control our planetary system from billions of miles away. We can only see seven but there are thousands making up that group.
So it is that Christ has the administrative authority over not only the seven churches, but supervising the thousands of believers over the centuries and throughout the world.
`The mystery of the seven stars you saw in my right hand, & the seven golden lamp stands: the seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lamp stands which you saw are the seven churches.` (Rev. 1: 20)
The Lord addresses each group particularly, giving words of commendation and encouragement or chastisement and warnings. Christ then counsels each group presenting Himself in clarity and truth. The response is but to repent and obey His Holy Spirit.
The Apostle John was a prisoner on the island of Patmos for his belief in the Lord Jesus Christ. As he was waiting on the Lord he sees a vision of the glorified Lord. His appearance is like the sun shining in full strength.
`Then I (John) turned to see the voice that spoke to me....One like the Son of Man, ....His countenance was like the sun shining in its strength.` (Rev. 1: 12 & 16)
Then John gives an amazing description of the Lord using symbolic language. These symbols describe the Lord`s character, His counsel and His authority.
`..one like the Son of Man, clothed with a garment down to the feet and girded about the chest with a golden band.` (Rev. 1: 13)
This long garment is of the High Priest indicating His high office as the eternal High Priest that ever lives to intercede, giving eternal blessings.
`His head and His hair were white like wool, as white as snow, and His eyes like a flame of fire; His feet were like fine brass, as if refined in a furnace.` (Rev. 1: 14 & 15)
The whiteness of His head and hair symbolise the maturity of His understanding; the eyes, for discernment, penetrating every realm and innermost thoughts of the heart. The feet refer to the uprightness of Christ`s dealing in perfect justice - rewards and punishment.
`His voice as the sound of many waters; he had in His right hand seven stars, out of His mouth went a sharp two-edged sword,..` (Rev. 1: 15 & 16)
This shows the great authority of the Lord, His sovereign commands, and the awesome judgments that come forth. The seven stars, the Pleiades (Job 38: 31) control our planetary system from billions of miles away. We can only see seven but there are thousands making up that group.
So it is that Christ has the administrative authority over not only the seven churches, but supervising the thousands of believers over the centuries and throughout the world.
`The mystery of the seven stars you saw in my right hand, & the seven golden lamp stands: the seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lamp stands which you saw are the seven churches.` (Rev. 1: 20)
The Lord addresses each group particularly, giving words of commendation and encouragement or chastisement and warnings. Christ then counsels each group presenting Himself in clarity and truth. The response is but to repent and obey His Holy Spirit.
REVELATION - Vision 2: Christ the Heir. (Rev. 4 - 7)
When Christ ascended He went to the Father`s throne at His right hand, `far above all.` There He intercedes and waits till His enemies become His footstool. When that happens, then Christ will be given His own throne, authority and power as the visible sovereign Lord in the third heaven.
Even though God rules overall, there had not been a visible ruler since Lucifer and his angels rebelled. Thus the glorified Jesus Christ will be the one found worthy to visibly rule over all God`s created realms.
`You are worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power; for you created all things, and by your will they exist and were created.` (Rev. 4: 11)
Although it is not possible to see the three persons of the Godhead, we are shown a pictorial representation of what unfolds. God the Father who has all authority and power holds out a scroll, His righteous will to be executed by a worthy executor.
The one described as a lamb and also as a lion is the Lord Jesus Christ who alone is found worthy to rule and execute God the Father`s righteous judgments. Thus the Father gives to His Son and Heir the scroll, his inheritance of the earth and the judgments written.
`You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals; for you were slain, and have redeemed us to God by your blood out of every tribe and tongue and have made us kings and priests to our God and we shall reign over the earth.` (Rev. 5: 9 & 10)
There we see the Body of Christ, the overcomers who have been made kingpriests on the throne ruling and reigning with the Lord Jesus Christ.
`To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with me on my throne, as I also overcame and sat down with my Father on His throne.` (Rev. 3: 21)
The Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the legal heir to all the Father`s estates, then opens the scroll, and reveals what is to be judged. Thus we see an overview of the coming period of tribulation.
The first four seals reveal the four great Federations that the Gentiles bring together to form a global Government; then we see that midway will be great persecution and martyrs to be avenged, then lastly every person in the world will seek to hide as the heavens and earth quake just before the Lord returns in power and great glory.
`Fall on us and hide us from the face of Him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb! For the great day of His wrath has come and who is able to stand?` (Rev. 6: 16 & 17)
When Christ ascended He went to the Father`s throne at His right hand, `far above all.` There He intercedes and waits till His enemies become His footstool. When that happens, then Christ will be given His own throne, authority and power as the visible sovereign Lord in the third heaven.
Even though God rules overall, there had not been a visible ruler since Lucifer and his angels rebelled. Thus the glorified Jesus Christ will be the one found worthy to visibly rule over all God`s created realms.
`You are worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power; for you created all things, and by your will they exist and were created.` (Rev. 4: 11)
Although it is not possible to see the three persons of the Godhead, we are shown a pictorial representation of what unfolds. God the Father who has all authority and power holds out a scroll, His righteous will to be executed by a worthy executor.
The one described as a lamb and also as a lion is the Lord Jesus Christ who alone is found worthy to rule and execute God the Father`s righteous judgments. Thus the Father gives to His Son and Heir the scroll, his inheritance of the earth and the judgments written.
`You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals; for you were slain, and have redeemed us to God by your blood out of every tribe and tongue and have made us kings and priests to our God and we shall reign over the earth.` (Rev. 5: 9 & 10)
There we see the Body of Christ, the overcomers who have been made kingpriests on the throne ruling and reigning with the Lord Jesus Christ.
`To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with me on my throne, as I also overcame and sat down with my Father on His throne.` (Rev. 3: 21)
The Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the legal heir to all the Father`s estates, then opens the scroll, and reveals what is to be judged. Thus we see an overview of the coming period of tribulation.
The first four seals reveal the four great Federations that the Gentiles bring together to form a global Government; then we see that midway will be great persecution and martyrs to be avenged, then lastly every person in the world will seek to hide as the heavens and earth quake just before the Lord returns in power and great glory.
`Fall on us and hide us from the face of Him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb! For the great day of His wrath has come and who is able to stand?` (Rev. 6: 16 & 17)
REVELATION - Vision 3: Christ the Mediator of the New Covenant. (Rev. 8 - 13)
In this section we see the Lord operating as the High Priest on the day of Atonement. He is the angelic High Priest standing before the symbolic Golden Altar in heaven. Having shed His own blood He now throws fire and blood to the ground, as it were in judgments upon the rebellious.
`I came to send fire upon the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled!` (Luke 12: 49)
`Then another angel having a golden censer, came and stood at the altar......then the angel took the censer, filled it with fire from the altar, and threw it to the earth......hail and fire followed, mingled with blood ...` (Rev. 8: 3, 5 & 7)
The blowing of trumpets is a priestly activity and declare that God`s judgments executed by Christ are about to come forth upon the nations of the world. The first four trumpet calls are during the early part of the tribulation and affect a third of the earth, sea, fresh water and sun, moon and stars.
The last three trumpets take place from the middle of the tribulation and are so terrible that they are described as woes - demonic activity of torment and plagues. When the seventh trumpet sounds then the mystery of God is finished. It heralds a great earthquake, Armageddon and the Lord`s return in power and great glory.
Amid the horrific judgments Christ the mediator also brings atonement for His land and His people.
`...there is no God beside me.....for I lift my hand to heaven to say, “As I live forever...I will render vengeance to my enemies....He will provide atonement for His land and His people.` (Deut. 32: 39 - 43)
This is what we see depicted by the mighty angel, (the Lord).
`...coming down from heaven....a rainbow on His head, His face was like the sun and His feet like pillars of fire.....and swore by Him who lives forever,...` (Rev. 10: 1 & 6)
Then we see the two men witnessing of God, and the people of Israel protected from the enemies for a time. Finally as Satan and his fallen angels are cast to the earth they bring together man`s final beastly Global Government. The Global leader, (Political power) and the False Prophet, (Religious and Economic power) take control of the world`s economy and persecute those who do not bow down.
`He causes all, ....to receive a mark on their right hand or on their foreheads, that no one may buy or sell except the one who has the mark or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.` (Rev. 13: 16 & 17)
In this section we see the Lord operating as the High Priest on the day of Atonement. He is the angelic High Priest standing before the symbolic Golden Altar in heaven. Having shed His own blood He now throws fire and blood to the ground, as it were in judgments upon the rebellious.
`I came to send fire upon the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled!` (Luke 12: 49)
`Then another angel having a golden censer, came and stood at the altar......then the angel took the censer, filled it with fire from the altar, and threw it to the earth......hail and fire followed, mingled with blood ...` (Rev. 8: 3, 5 & 7)
The blowing of trumpets is a priestly activity and declare that God`s judgments executed by Christ are about to come forth upon the nations of the world. The first four trumpet calls are during the early part of the tribulation and affect a third of the earth, sea, fresh water and sun, moon and stars.
The last three trumpets take place from the middle of the tribulation and are so terrible that they are described as woes - demonic activity of torment and plagues. When the seventh trumpet sounds then the mystery of God is finished. It heralds a great earthquake, Armageddon and the Lord`s return in power and great glory.
Amid the horrific judgments Christ the mediator also brings atonement for His land and His people.
`...there is no God beside me.....for I lift my hand to heaven to say, “As I live forever...I will render vengeance to my enemies....He will provide atonement for His land and His people.` (Deut. 32: 39 - 43)
This is what we see depicted by the mighty angel, (the Lord).
`...coming down from heaven....a rainbow on His head, His face was like the sun and His feet like pillars of fire.....and swore by Him who lives forever,...` (Rev. 10: 1 & 6)
Then we see the two men witnessing of God, and the people of Israel protected from the enemies for a time. Finally as Satan and his fallen angels are cast to the earth they bring together man`s final beastly Global Government. The Global leader, (Political power) and the False Prophet, (Religious and Economic power) take control of the world`s economy and persecute those who do not bow down.
`He causes all, ....to receive a mark on their right hand or on their foreheads, that no one may buy or sell except the one who has the mark or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.` (Rev. 13: 16 & 17)
REVELATION - Vision 4: Christ the Judge and Giver of Life. (Rev. 14 - 22)
The Lord Jesus Christ is the Chief Justice of heaven`s Supreme court. His decisions are final and beyond His verdict there is no other court of appeal. He exercises the final prerogative that is essential to judgeship; He is able to kill and to make alive.
We see the character of this righteous judge as shown as the Lamb, standing on the heavenly Mount Zion. He is the victor over the enemy and pronounces the coming judgments - to life and to death.
`Fear God and give Him glory......` (Rev. 14: 7) `Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city...` (Rev. 14: 8) `If anyone worships the beast....he shall be tormented with fire...forever.` (Rev. 14: 9 - 11)
The earth is then ready to be reaped - those to life and those into God`s great winepress, Armageddon. Christ then comes in power and great glory with His angelic army to deliver Israel and bring judgment upon the rebellious.
After the world`s armies are dealt with the Lord, Israel`s Messiah then goes to them and reveals Himself. Eventually their mourning turns to joy, (the wedding feast) and they go into the millennium to rule the nations for a thousand years under Christ`s rulership from heaven.
Finally, Satan who had been bound in the pit is loosed and gathers the nations again surrounding Jerusalem. God sends fire down from heaven and devours them. Then we read that there will be the Great White Throne judgment of those who are not in the book of life.
A new heavens and new earth are created and the New Jerusalem comes down out of heaven to rule over the earth.
`Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.` (Rev. 21: 2)
This has been promised to the Old Testament saints and is ruled over by the twelve Apostles.
`Now the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and on them were the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.` (Rev. 21: 14)
The Lord is its King and High Priest for His authority, (throne) is there. The blessings also within the New Jerusalem are shown as a `river of life,` bringing Christ own divine nature to refresh and energise the people; and a `tree of life` with its twelve fruits of Christ`s life of service, enabling the community to function and serve, being fruitful in every good work.
The Lord Jesus Christ is the Chief Justice of heaven`s Supreme court. His decisions are final and beyond His verdict there is no other court of appeal. He exercises the final prerogative that is essential to judgeship; He is able to kill and to make alive.
We see the character of this righteous judge as shown as the Lamb, standing on the heavenly Mount Zion. He is the victor over the enemy and pronounces the coming judgments - to life and to death.
`Fear God and give Him glory......` (Rev. 14: 7) `Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city...` (Rev. 14: 8) `If anyone worships the beast....he shall be tormented with fire...forever.` (Rev. 14: 9 - 11)
The earth is then ready to be reaped - those to life and those into God`s great winepress, Armageddon. Christ then comes in power and great glory with His angelic army to deliver Israel and bring judgment upon the rebellious.
After the world`s armies are dealt with the Lord, Israel`s Messiah then goes to them and reveals Himself. Eventually their mourning turns to joy, (the wedding feast) and they go into the millennium to rule the nations for a thousand years under Christ`s rulership from heaven.
Finally, Satan who had been bound in the pit is loosed and gathers the nations again surrounding Jerusalem. God sends fire down from heaven and devours them. Then we read that there will be the Great White Throne judgment of those who are not in the book of life.
A new heavens and new earth are created and the New Jerusalem comes down out of heaven to rule over the earth.
`Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.` (Rev. 21: 2)
This has been promised to the Old Testament saints and is ruled over by the twelve Apostles.
`Now the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and on them were the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.` (Rev. 21: 14)
The Lord is its King and High Priest for His authority, (throne) is there. The blessings also within the New Jerusalem are shown as a `river of life,` bringing Christ own divine nature to refresh and energise the people; and a `tree of life` with its twelve fruits of Christ`s life of service, enabling the community to function and serve, being fruitful in every good work.